2009-05-01T01:02:00.001-07:00

Even as a toddler, there were already evident signs that I was a temperamentally mischievous brat in the making. My mother describes little Matt as a complete rebel who couldn’t care less about authority or rules.

There were many incidents from my childhood days growing up in Taiwan that she still clearly recalls. Memories of how I often threw tantrums infront of my father’s important guests, kicking chairs over and screaming out loud not at all caring about anything or anyone else present.

Then there was another where I apparently wandered off by myself in one of the malls and while my parents and practically the entire shopping mall were frantically looking for a lost child, I was already embarking on my own little adventure outside on the streets till some kind soul found me.

But the one incident that gave her the biggest scare, was the time I nearly fell off a building. It happened one afternoon while she was taking a nap at home and with no one watching over me, I took my toys, climbed up the window and made that little space hanging outside meant for flowerpots, my playpen, oblivious to the commotion and crowd that had gathered below.

And if the days in Taiwan were bad, the childhood memories in Korea were no better. I reckon my grandfather found me extremely annoying and if he had his way, he would’ve probably stuffed kimchi in my mouth to shut me up every time I started crying.

One thing's certain though, I never fail to be amused listening to the childhood stories my mom tells me although I don’t remember any of it at all. The only thing I do remember, is that I was embarrassingly a big time mommy’s boy.

Primary school. 6 years of my life in Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School. The period went by rather quickly to be honest. But it was definitely filled with mischief, trouble and injuries.

I ended up in a police station when I was just 10 years old. A friend and I had a fight so intense, we stupidly handed ourselves over to the police to settle the matter. That was the first physical fight of my life and it was quite silly, really. Playful push came to shove then the punches started flying. Boys.

It was also during primary days that I first fell in love.. not with a girl, but the beautiful game. Every recess, it’d be like war on the soccer field with hundreds of boys running after one ball or sometimes, a water bottle. Football was practically my life then. I’d go home every day covered in mud but with a huge smile and a football in hand.

At that age, I really wasn’t bothered about life or my future at all. I didn’t know what I wanted to be and I wasn’t very interested in learning how frogs reproduce. All I wanted to do was play football because it made me happy. It was this aimless attitude that I carried through to the next part of my academic journey..

Queensway Secondary School. The 4 years that changed my life.

I was still an idiot going into Secondary 1 from primary school. It wasn’t long before I had a notorious reputation.. the trouble maker who was always up to no good. I did retarded things just for the fun of it.

I accidently smashed glass panels and windows while playing football at the wrong places, set the classroom’s wastepaper bin on fire, shot paper bullets at my teachers, threw shoes of random people left outside the music room into dustbins, got into petty fights with seniors, I even sent the entire school into frenzy by setting off the fire alarm once.

But I wasn’t exactly a problem kid, I was just really bored and childish. Things changed for the better in Secondary 2 though, I suppose I toned down and managed to stay out of trouble.

I played a more active role in soccer, captaining the team through a great year of football, and joined the drama club. This was the year I discovered my passion for the Arts. At aged 14, it was also the year I first started emceeing.

The very first event I hosted in school was a bit of a joke actually. It was more a form of punishment for not being able to keep my mouth shut in class. But one event eventually led to many more and in a way, marked the beginning of my dreams.

Secondary 3 was a year of complete transformation. I became the school’s track captain, restructuring the entire training program and working together with a team of dedicated runners, pushing them to achieve what they were capable of. Our track team made history that year setting records after records.

But 2004 marked the turning point of my life. I was admitted to hospital with a 50-50 percent chance of survival. At the time of hospitalization, I was already in a critical stage and could’ve died at any unpredictable moment.

Death was literally staring me in the face. Even the doctors couldn’t promise any reassurance before the operation. Apparently I pushed myself way too hard during my trainings, and in some strange unexplainable way, messed up my body and internal organs.

It’s actually a miracle that I’m still alive today. My complicated operation being only the second such case in the medical records of Singapore. Present day, I have a 20cm scar across my stomach to remind me of the second chance I was given in life..

Lying on the operation table not knowing if I’d ever open my eyes again was the scariest moment of my life. But it changed my perspective of a lot of things. I begin to realize how precious but frail life is.

Most of us don’t really care much, but I think we should all cherish our lives and treasure relationships because you never know when any one of us, or any of our loved ones could experience a close shave or even leave us unexpectedly. Its really never too early to tell someone how much you care and appreciate them being a part of your life.

Anyway, I was told I may not be able to perform to my maximum sporting potential ever again and was advised to stay off sports for the next two years after my operation to fully recover. It was like the death sentence! A devastating blow to my sporting ambitions but I was not ready to give up just yet..

I took a break from competitive sports for one year, doing light trainings at the side and getting more active as an emcee instead. My final year of secondary school was one I’ll always remember..

Secondary 4. I was elected House Captain and continued my position as the school’s track captain. Our House Team (Centaur) was on fire that year making a clean sweep of every sporting title we competed in.

It wasn’t by chance though. I drew up a training schedule and every representative spent their Saturdays training in that particular sporting event months prior to the competition itself.

These representatives were simply representing the House Team but their dedication and commitment were really admirable. As a team, we were always encouraging and helping each other out. The day we clinched overall House Champion in such formidable style was probably the proudest moment for many of us.

The school’s track team also went on to rewrite records and achieve many personal bests and as captain, I realized that the greatest joy came from helping others realize their potential they might not have thought they had in them initially.

On a personal note, I continued training despite the doctor’s orders to stay off sports and against all odds, I ended up breaking the school’s 37 year old 100 meters record and even went on to set a new one for the long jump event. It was an emotional moment when I was eventually awarded the Sports Boy award. I never thought it would ever be possible after that operation..

I got admitted into hospital again after one of the races in the Nationals though. And that was sort of the defining moment, I’ve stopped doing competitive sports ever since. But I still love sports very much!

Away from the sporting scene, I was presented my first big opportunity in hosting, singing and radio. Several contract offers soon came up but I turned them down because I wasn’t ready. By then I was sure though, that I wanted to take things a bit more seriously and to work towards my dream and improving myself.

2006. There were some administration issues with my polytechnic application and I ended up in Business instead of my desired Media course. This was the beginning of my life in Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

I spent the next 2 years under the Business school before finally transferring to Mass Comm. Many people have remarked that I’m crazy to have made the switch and effectively waste 2 years.

But I’ve never and will never see it as two wasted years of my life. Instead, I see it as two years that holds precious memories and experiences that shaped me to be who I am today. I’ve gotten to know some of the most amazing people who are now my best friends, and I experienced so many things I probably never would have, in those two years.

See the thing is, things don’t always go the way we want it to. But when that happens, there really are just two simple choices in dealing with it. You can either focus on the fact that the situation diverted from your masterplan and go on moping about it forever, or you can choose to make the best out of the situation.

I decided to make the switch because I wanted to pursue something I was passionate about - media. I’ll admit it was a big decision that I had to make, but sometimes in life, you just have to be willing to take risks, to make sacrifices. You have to fight for what you’re passionate about and the things you strongly believe in.

More importantly, don’t ever give up. Regardless of the number of setbacks and rejections you have or will face, don’t ever quit. Constantly seek out new opportunities, learn what you can from past failures and move on, trying even harder and smarter. Don’t lose that belief in yourself.

In 2008, I was the face of Ngee Ann Poly. Many people might not know this, but it was one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was constantly being criticized and it hurt a lot. Do I ever regret the experience though? No.

The whole experience toughened me up and I’m actually grateful. I can never change the way anyone thinks of me based on the way I look because that’s the way I am. The only thing I can control is the way I respond and react to them.

People can continue to make assumptions and judge me for what they think I am. The reality is, everyone of us will always be judged by others and there will always be someone more good looking or talented. So I respect your opinions and I admit to my imperfections. But I believe its what makes us unique.

There’s more to a person than just the way they look. Beauty is not just in the face, but a light in the heart. I’ve learnt to make the effort to know people for who they are and find that inner beauty in them instead of slapping them with wrong impressions.

2009. I’ve had some amazing opportunities coming my way and I count myself really fortunate. It all started out as a dream I had as a 14 year old kid, but I finally see them happening. I will continue working hard to be even better though.

Having gone through some of these experiences, I honestly believe that dreams do come true. You can be all that you want to be if you set your mind and heart to it and work hard towards making it a reality. Don’t ever let the what ifs hold you back, visualize what can be and make them happen..

Hmm on an ending note, I’d just like to say..

Whatever your dream is, go for it!

You will definitely face many challenges along the way but life’s not meant to be smooth sailing. Its inevitable for shit to happen, its unavoidable that people will always criticize or judge you for the things you may or may not be guilty of.. but don’t let it stop you!

The greatest glory in living, is never failing, but in rising each time we fall. Its one of the mottos I feel strongly about. Sometimes, failure can quite possibly be the best thing that ever happened. You just have to find the strength and belief in yourself to continue living even when the world turns its back on you.

At the end of the day, it is ultimately your life to live. Don’t ever live it simply to please another or try so hard to be someone you’re not. You are who you are and that makes you special. Regardless of what everyone else tells you, always follow your heart and do what you feel is right.

Everything happens for a reason. You really wouldn’t be the person you are today if it weren’t for the incidents that have happened in the past or the people that you’ve met. But the road of your future still stretches before you, so go on and live life the way you want it to be.

And no matter how tough the journey gets, there will always be those few people who will be there for you through it all, cheering you on, helping you, lending you a shoulder to cry on, being your friend, your family. Just remember, that you’re never alone, there will always be someone who cares..

My name is Matthew Zachary Liu.

An ordinary guy, who dares to dream.

This is my life, my dream, my story.

Dreams are simply

reality waiting to happen :)

Matthew Zachary Liu | Profile